Crate building machine



' Dec. 1, 1936.- M. c. RUTZEN ET AL CRATE BUILDING MACHINE F ile d Oct. 28, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 1, 1936. mg. RUTZEN El AL CRATE BUILDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 28, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 lZS Dec. 1, 1936. M. CL-RUTZEN Er AL CRATE BUILDING MAC HINE Filed Oct. 28, 19151 10 sheets-Shet 4 Dec. 1, 1936. M. c. RUTZEN Er AL 2,

CRATE BUILDING MACHINE 7 Filed 001;; 28, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 I l 6M A ORNEYS.

Dec; 1, 1936. c, U Z N ET AL 2,062,828

CRATE BUILDING MACHINE Filed Oct; 28, 1951 v 10 Shets-Sheet 6 Dec. 1, 1936. M. c. RUTZEN ET AL CRATE BUILDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 28, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 6 MW W /$1957? A 0 dm Fin-lee. BYZ red l'stcclcvf I Z; W

Dec. 1, 1936. M. c. RUTZEN E AL CRATE BUILDING MACHINE Filed odt. 28, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 NEYS.

Dec. 1, 1936. M. c. RUTZEN ET AL 2,062,828 I CRATE BUILDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 28, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Mm 5 1357 6, I ed 0 s gee lirr ATTORNEY Dec. 1, 1936.

M. C. RUTZEN ET AL CRATE BUILDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 28, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 ENTORS ZE W M 3 ATTORNEYS- Patented Dec. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CRATE BUILDING MACHINE Max 0. Rutzen and Lloyd W. Pardee, Pontiac,

and Alfred J. Stecker, Orchard Lake, Mich, assignors to Steel Bound Container Corporation, a corporation of Florida.

Application October 28, 1931, Serial No. 571,618 5 Claims. (o 1- 12 The invention relates particularly to machines for manufacturing baskets or containers adapted to be used in shipping fruit or the like, and the acter by means of which the articles fabricated will be uniform, and the parts comprising such articles, assembled in a secure manner; and to provide a machine which will automatically assemble and secure wooden slats and metal ribbon bands together, without necessitating the use of separate fastening means.

For a complete understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine constructed according to one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the machine shown by Fig. 1, taken from the work intake end thereof indicated by the arrow 2, with certain parts shown in cross section, and other parts broken away, for the purpose of clarifying the construction;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view on a larger scale, taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view, on a larger scale, taken substantially along line 6-6 of Fig. 4, illustrating the upper die for forming the projections in the metal band shown by Fig. 22;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional View on a larger scale, taken substantially along line 1'l of Fig. 4, illustrating the lower die for forming the projections shown by Fig. 22;

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line 88 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view on a larger scale, taken "substantially along line 9-9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9; I

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional View taken substantially along line ll-Il of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the construction shown by Fig. 10, taken in the direction indicated by the arrow 12;

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line l3l3 of Fig. 12

Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view on a larger scale, taken substantially along line I4-l4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line l5l5 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a. cross sectional view on a larger scale, taken substantially along line l6--l6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view on a larger scale taken substantially along line l'll'l of Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a side view of the construction shown by Fig. 17 taken from the side thereof indicated by the arrow l8;

Fig. 19 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line |9-l9 of Fig. 18;

- Fig. 20 is a cross sectional view on a larger scale, taken substantially along line 2020 of Fig. 19; g a

Fig. 21 is a plan view of a fabricated article which may be manufactured by means of the machine illustrated in the previous figures;

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary, perspective view of one of themetal ribbon bands shown in Fig. 21, illustrating fastening means provided'in the band for securing it to wooden slats;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end portion of one of the metal ribbon bands shown in the article illustrated in Fig. 21, indicating the manner in which the ends of the band are formed to provide means for securing opposed ends of each band together to provide an annular assembly;

Figure 24 is a detail, cross sectional View illustrating the hopper for the wooden slats, and the manner of removing individual slats therefrom;

Fig. 25 is an enlarged view, in cross section, of the dies used for securing the slats to the bands, as'shown by Fig. 13;

Fig. 26 is a view, on a larger scale, taken substantlally along line 26-26 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 27 is a cross sectional View taken substantially along line 2'l--2'I of Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is an enlarged view, in cross section, illustrating the mechanism employed for cutting the metal bands at the discharge end of the machine.

The machine illustrated by the drawings, and which presently will be described, is particularly adapted for manufacturing containers such as that disclosed in the application for patent of H. M. Warren, Ser. No. 546,085, filed June 22, 1931. Also the machine may be utilized for manufacturing containers such as those disclosed in the application for patents of H. M. Warren, Ser. No. 486,751, filed October 6, 1930, and J. B. Brooks, Ser. No. 466,682, filed July 6, 1930, by making obvious changes in the machine which will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The article to be manufactured by the machine is illustrated herein particularly by Figs. 21, 22, and 23 and each article as best shown by Fig. 21, comprises a plurality of spaced metal bands l0 interconnected by a number of equally spaced wooden slats |3 extending transversely between the bands. For the purpose of fastening an end of each slat to the band, the latter, during the initial operation of the machine is at intervals formed with spaced pairs of V-shaped projections indicated at i6 and I! and intermediate the pairs of projections, the band is formed with a semicylindrically shaped anchor l8. When a slat is secured to a band, the end ofthe slat is forced down against the projections l6 and I1, and the anchor I8, which forces the projections through the slat and the extreme pointed portions of such projections through the opposite side thereof. These extreme pointed portions of the projections arethen bent over against the slat thereby securely clamping the slat to the band. The anchor I8 during this operation, is not forced entirely through the slat because its depth is not greater than the thickness of the slat. This anchor has a particular purpose as clearly set forth in the later filed application for patent of H. M. Warren. While it is to be understood that the article manufactured by the machine may comprise any number of slats assembled with a plurality of spaced metal bands, preferably each article comprises twelve equally spaced slats.

During the operation of the machine, the metal bands are directed therethrough in continuous form, and the slats are secured thereto in such 1 clearly illustrated by Fig. 23.

manner that after each twelfth slat is secured to the band, the bands are moved a greater distance than the usual distancespacing the slats,

- 2 thereby providing a greater length of band between each group of twelve slats. That portion of eachband between each group of twelve slats, then is crimped as indicated at 20 and 2|, and the manner in which each crimp is formed is It will be noted that each crimp comprises upwardly pressed arcuate portions 22 and 23 at opposite sides of the band, and an intermediate arcuate portion 24 pressed downwardly. The projections 22, 23, and 24 cooperate to provide an eye for receiving a cotter pin. While the crimps 20 and 2| are formed similarly, the projection 24 in one crimp is slightly larger than the projection 24 in the other, and consequently if the latter should be placed over the other in superimposed relation,

the projection 24 in the upper crimp, will project downwardly between the adjacent ends of the portions 22 and 23 in the lower crimp. Hence it will be apparent that opposite ends of the bands in each article manufactured will have complementary crimps and'th-at by bending the article into annular form, opposite ends of each band may be arranged with the crimps disposed in superimposed and complementary relation and 20 and 2|, this severing operation constituting the last function of the machine.

The general arrangement of the machine may be understood by referring to Fig. 1. In this figure, the intake end of the machine is at the right, and the first operation of the machine on the metal bands, is to draw such bands into the machine. The letterv A indicates the mechanism employed for this purpose, which comprises generally, rollers engaging opposite surfaces of the band for drawing the bands into the machine.

Then the bands are formed With the projections shown by Fig; 22 in that part of the machine indicated by the letter B. Following this operation, the bands pass beneath a hopper C having the wooden slats 3 therein and which are sequentially positioned properly on the bands. Then the slats are secured to the bands by mechanism indicated generally at D. Then the bands and slats pass through mechanism E where the crimps 20 and 2| are formed and the bands severed intermediate the crimps.

Referring to Fig.2, which shows the intake end of the machine, the driving power for the latter is derived from a'motor 30, having a gear 3| on its shaft which meshes with a second gear 32 keyed to a shaft 33. A gear 34 on the last mentioned shaft meshes with a gear 35 on a main driving shaft 36 extending the entire length of the machine below a table 36'. This shaft, as shown by Fig. 16is journaled in opposite ends of the machine frame indicated at 31, and adjacent the motor end of the shaft a one w-ay clutch 38 is provided to preventpossible reverse operation of the machine. In viewof the fact that the various operations performed by the machine in assembling the slats and the band must be effected when the slats and bands are stationary, means are provided for moving the band and slats through the machine periodically and by small increments. These bands are moved through the crimps 20 and 2|. Themeans for obtaining this periodic movement of-the bands through the machine now will be described.

Referring to Fig. 16, the shaft 36 at one pointis provided with a bevel-gear 46 which meshes with a bevel gear 4| secured on a'transversely extending shaft 42 and the latter in turn is provided with a pinion 43 on its opposite end which meshes with a pinion 44 mounted on a shaft 45 disposed adjacent and parallelto the shaft 42. Referring to Figs. 1'7, 18, and 19, in conjunction with Fig. 16, the shaft 45 is providedwith a wheel 46 having a series of equally and rather widely spaced teeth 4'! on its periphery which are adapted to engage circumferentially spaced pins 48 mounted on a disc 49 secured to a shaft 50. Twelve pins are provided on the disc which are equally spaced with the exception of two pins 5| and 52, spaced a greater distance. From this description itis apparent that the teeth on wheel 46, will move the disc through periodic small increments of rotary movement, and, as one of the teeth engages one of the pins 48 it will move the disc un til the tooth disengages the pin, and then the disc will remain stationary until the next tooth 41 engages the next pin on the disc. The stationary periods of the disc will be substantially equal as far as time is concerned but when one of the teeth 41 engages the pin 52, it will move the disc through a greaterincreme'nt of rotary movement because this pin will be so positioned that the tooth 41 will engage it sooner than the teeth 41 will engage the other pins.

An annular ring 55 is secured to the disc 49 at the outer periphery of the latter, by means of machine bolts 53 extending through elongated slots 54 in the disc. Consequently, the ring may be adjusted circumferentially with respect to the disc. This ring is provided with twelve teeth 56 on its periphery and two of such teeth 51 and 58 are spaced a greater distance than the usual space between the teeth. It should be noted that the tooth 51 is somewhat longer than the other teeth on the ring. The teeth 51 and 5B are located on that side of shaft 59 generally opposite the pins 5I and 52 on the disc and consequently when the pins last mentioned are in a position of proximity to the wheel 46 and the teeth 41 thereon, the teeth 51 and 58 will be located at the right upper side of the ring 55 in a position approaching a vertical plane coinciding with the axis of the shaft 59.

As best shown by Fig. 16, the shaft 59 is provided with a second wheel indicated at 59, which is constructed identically to the assembly comprising the disc 49 and ring 55, but such wheel 59 is not provided with pins as indicated at 48 on disc 49. The teeth on the wheel 59 have positions corresponding to the teeth on ring 55 and it is apparent that by means of the adjustable securing means between the disc and the annular ring, the teeth on the two wheels may be adjusted with respect to the shaft 59 and consequently the pins 48.

The wheels 55 and 59 project slightly above the table 36', through openings therein, as shown by Figs. 9 and 10 and the teeth on the wheels are adapted respectively to engage rear edges of the slats I3 after the slats are secured to the bands Ill and push the assembly of slats and bands through towards the discharge end of the machine. As will be more clearly set forth hereinafter, after a slat is secured to the bands, one of the teeth 56 on each of the. wheels 55 and 59 engages the rear edge of such slat and moves the slat and band assembly through the machine a predetermined distance. Then the wheels remain stationary until the succeeding tooth 41 on wheel 46 engages the next pin on the disc 49. During this stationary period the next slat is moved into proper position on the band and secured thereto and thenthe next teeth on the wheels 55 and 59 engage the rear edge of this slat and again move the slat and band assembly through the machine the same distance as mentioned previously. However, when the teeth 51 are in a position to engage the rear edge of a slat one of the teeth 4? on wheel 46 will engage pin 52 on the disc and move such disc and the wheels 55 and 59 through a greater increment of rotary movement and consequently the teeth 51 will move the slat it engages, a greater distance through the machine. It is apparent that the teeth 51, being longer than the other teeth, will remain in engagement with such slat for a greatre amount of rotary movement of the wheels 55 and 59 in order to effect this greater movement of the slat and band assembly.

To prevent 'overrunning of the wheels 55 and 59 following disengagement of one of the teeth 41 withone of the pins 48, a cam disc 69 (Figs. 18, 19, and 20), is mounted on a shaft 6| having a pinion 62 which meshes with the pinion 44 on a shaft 45. The disc 60 is provided with a cam groove 63 which as best shown by Fig. 20,

constitutes a guide for a cam follower 64, secured to a block 65 slidably mountedin a guideway 66 formed in a casing 61 in'which the shaft 6| is journaled. The arm 65 is provided with an off set portion 68 having a surface 69 which as best shown by Fig. 19 is adapted to engage the lower side of one of the pins 48 immediately after one of the teeth 41 on wheel 46 isdisengaged from such pin. The surface 69 therefore prevents fur.- ther rotary movement of the pin which it engages, but when the succeeding tooth 41 on Wheel 46' is about to engage the next pin 48 on disc 49, the cam roller 64 is so positioned in the cam groove 63, that the arm 65 begins to move downwardly and the offset portion 68 thereof out of the path of movement of the pins, thereby permitting movement of the disc. 4'! engages the pin on disc 49 and moves the disc the desired amount, the'cam roller 64 again cooperates with the cam groove 63in such manner that the arm 65 is moved upwardly and the cam surface 69 again engages the lower side of the pin immediately after such pin has been disengaged from the tooth on wheel 46. In this manner the disc is moved the desired amount each time and the pins are always properly positioned forengagement by the teeth 41.

Referring again to Fig. 16, the, shaft 50 is also provided with a bevel gear II which meshes with a bevel gear l2 mounted on a shaft63 which extends to the front end of the frame 31., At its forward end, shaft I3 is provided with a bevel After the tooth machine, and is provided with a bevel gear I8 which meshes with a bevel gear 19 mountedon a shaft extending transversely above the table. At equally spaced points, the shaft 80 is provided with rollers 8I having knurled periphcries for engaging the under surfaces of three metal ribbon bands I9, although it is apparent that the machine may be so operated that only two bands are fed therethrough engaging two of the rollers. Each of the metal ribbon bands is directed through guideways 84 located forwardly and rearwardly of the r0llers,in alignment therewith, and as each band is directed through a guideway and over one of the knurled rollers, it is adapted to be clamped down against the knurled rollers by other rollers 85. The latter are journaled in the lower bifurcated endsof arms 88, 89 and 99 respectively, depending from a cross head 9I vertically slidable in guideways 92 and 93 formed in adjacent sides of portions 94 and 95 0f the framework 31 of the machine projecting above the table 36.

Each of the arms 88, 89 and has a shank which is slidably mounted in ya socket 91 formed in the cross head 9|, and a spring 98 located in a socket 99 in the end of the shank 96, and engagingthe base of such socket and an adjustable screw device I98 secured to the cross head, resiliently connects the arms to the latter. I

willbe resiliently pressedagai'nst the metal ribbon band directed over the knurled rollers Ill. The metal ribbon bands are fed into the machine from reels of such material and it is apparent that the knurled rollers 8|, will positively draw the bands into the machine. Likewise it is apparent that the bands will be fed into the machine periodically and through small increments or length, in such manner that the bands will be moved eleven equal increments of length through the machine and then through a twelfth increment of greater length. All of this should be clear in view of the driving connection between shaft 80 on which the knurled rollers are mounted, and shafts 16, 13, drivingly connected toshaft 50 which is periodically driven in the manner previously described in connection particularly with Figs. 16, 1'1, 18, and 19.

As the metal ribbon bands, either two or three in number depending on the width of the article to be manufactured, are directed through the machine, the first operation that is performed on them is the formation of the V-shaped projections I 6 and I1, and the anchor projection I6 shown more particularly by Fig. 22. The mechanism B for performing this operation now will be described.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 16, it will be noted that shaft36 is provided with. a bevel gear II5 which meshes with a bevel gear I I6 secured on a transversely extending shaft II1 located below the table 36. This shaft is provided with three eccentrics H8, H9 and I20 having arms I2I, I22 and I23 respectively, slidably projecting in an upward direction through openings in the table. As best shown by Fig. 5, each of the arms is pivotally connected as indicated at I24 to a die head I25, which as shown by Fig. 4'is provided with guide pins I26 and I21 projecting downwardly into openings in the table 36 for the purpose of guiding the reciprocatory movement of the die head in a vertical manner. Other eccentrics I28 and I29 mounted on the shaft H1 are provided with arms I30 and I3! that are pivotally connected at their upper ends to rods I32 and I33 slidably projecting through openings in the table 36. The upper ends of rodsl32 and I33 are adjustably secured by means of screw devices I34 to a cross head I35 extending transversely of the table. The cross head I35 is guided in its vertical reciprocatory movement by means of pins I36 and I31 projecting downwardly from a cross'member I38 on a yoke I39 secured to opposite sides to the table 36. These pins are secured to the yoke I39 and slidably project into openings Hi formed in the cross head. The cross head I35 is'provided with upper dies MI which are disposed in vertical alignment with the lower dies I25. The eccentrics H8, H9 and I20, and the eccentrics I28 and I29 are so arranged on shaft H1 that the dies I25 and MI on the groups of eccentrics respectively, are always moved in opposite directions, and hence the dies are first brought together and then are moved apart.

The bottom die I25 as best shown by Figs. 7 and 8, comprises a base I45 having a die element I 46 composed of relatively hard metal, which is secured thereto and in a groove in the base, by means of screws I49. The die element is provided with a pair of spaced, inverted V shape projections M1 and H58 and a pin I49 located centrally between such projections, which has a semispherical upper end. These parts of the die elements are adaptedto cooperate with the upper die, for forming the projections I 6, I1 and' I8 in the metal bands as indicated in Fig. 22. The die element I46 also includes a block I50 at that side thereof opposite the projections I 41 and I48 as shown by Fig; 7, for preventing side movement of the upper die, and also a dowel pin II which connects the die element to the base I45 for assisting in properly locating the element.

The upper die I'4I has a base I 55 provided with a die element I56 secured thereto by screws I51. The die element I56 has apertures in one end thereof I58, I59 and I60, complementary respectively to the V-shaped projections I41 and I48, and the semi-spherical head I49 on the lower die element, and. cooperate therewith to form the projections I6, I1, and I8 in the band as shown by Fig. 17. It will be noted that these projections and openings are so formed inthe die elements, that the V-shape projections I6 and I1 shown in the band in Fig. 19 are gradually sheared along the V shape edges of projections Hi1 and I48 in the lower die element, andthen after the shearing operation they are bent into vertical position by continued movement of the upper die element slightly below the V shape projections in the lower die element. As is true of the lower die element, a dowel pin I60 also connects the upper die element I56 to the die base I55 for properly locating the element. The dies I26 and MI are guided by each other in their reciprocatory movement, by means of rods ISI and 462 slidably projecting into openings in the upper die base I55, and which are secured to the lower die base I45.

As best shown by Fig. 5, each of the metal bands I0 is guided between the upper and lower die elements in the mechanism shown by Fig. 4, by means of a. device I64 at the entrance and discharge sides of the mechanism. It is apparent that the guiding device I64 can have a rectangular opening for receiving the band end, since the band has no projections at this side of the con-. struction, but when the band has passed between the dies, and is provided with projections, it is necessary to have the guiding device provided with a suitable groove in order that the projections may pass therethrough. If the band should tend to stick to the lower. die element, any suitable and resilient stripping devices may be provided on the element for moving the band away from the projections I41 and I48 on the element after the projection forming operation. To prevent the band from sticking to the upper die element when the latter begins to move upwardly, resilientstripping devices'l66 indicated in Fig. 6, may be provided, which comprise resiliently mounted pins adapted to project below the surface of the upper die element and force the band downwardly when the upper die element begins to move upwardly after the projection forming operation.

Referring to Figs. 1, 9, and 24, it will be noted that the hopper C is inclined slightly to be ver-v tical, and that it is adapted to contain a number of wooden slats l3 disposed in stacked rela-' tion. The lowermost slat rests on a plurality of supporting bars I shown by Figs. 9 and 10, and the slats are removed from the hopper and moved along such bars in sequential relation. For removing the slats and moving them along in a periodic manner corresponding to the periodic movement of the bands in the machine, mechan ism is provided which is driven by shaft II1 shown by Fig. 5. In the latter figure it will be noted that the shaft I I1 is provided with a crank arm I13 which is pivotally connected to a link I14. Now as best shown by Figs. 9, 12, and 16, it will be noted that the rear end of link I14 is pivotally connected as indicated at I I5 to the free end of an arm I16 secured to a shaft III extending transversely of the machine below the table 36' and the hopper C. This shaft, as best shown by Fig. 9, is provided with three crank arms I18, I19 and I88 which are spaced longitudinally of the shaft. As best shown by Figs. 9 and 12, each of the crank arms is pivotally connected at its free end to a link I8! and the link in turn is pivotally connected to a block I82 which is slidably mounted in a guideway I83 formed between upstanding bracket members I84 and I85 on the table 36, the latter of which supports one of the bars I I8 upon which the wooden slat is supported. Each of the sliding blocks I 82 has a lip portion I86 shown best by Fig. 24, projecting slightly above the slat supporting bar I18 adjacent thereto, and consequently is adapted to engage one edge of the slat and move it along over the bar. Now referring to Fig. 24, the hopper 0 adjacent the discharge side of the machine, is provided with an offset, housing portion I81 which contains a number of spring pressed balls I88, each of which seats in a frusto-spherical opening I89 provided below the ball. This arrangement causes the lower portion of the ball to project to a point adjacent the upper surface of the bar I18 and normally in front of the lowermost slat I3. When the sliding block I82 is moved forwardly, the lip I 86 moves the lowermost slat against the balls, causing the balls to move upwardly against the action of the springs thereby permitting the slat to be moved below the ball. The balls are so positioned, however, that the movement of the lowermost slat will not cause the next slat thereabove to be moved along therewith, because this next slat engages a more nearly central part of the balls during the movement of the lowermost slat. As soon as the lowermost slat is moved past the ball, the next slat immediately drops downward. It should be understood, however, that the block I82 is of sufficient length, that in its movement forwardly it does not move beyond the stack of slats, and hence it in fact supports the next slat until the block is reversed in its movement and brought back to its initial position, following which the slat falls below the lip I86 and upon the bar I18 into a position in which it will be engaged by the block I82 when the latter again moves forwardly.

The slat removed from the hopper by the blocks I82 during their forward movement, is moved upon supporting blocks I98 shown by Fig. 10, with the forward edge of the slat engaging spring pressed latch members I93, shown both by Figs. 10 and 11. This latch properly positions the slat with respect to the dies adapted to secure the slat to the bands.

As shown by Figs. 13 and 25, each slat I3 when it is disposed on the plate I93, is held slightly above such plate by means of slidable blocks I96 disposed in vertical apertures I9'I in the plate and normally pressed upwardly by means of springs I98. These blocks are so arranged, that the slat is spaced slightly above the projections I6 and H on the metal bands which rest directly on the upper surfaces of plates I93. In this connection it is to be observed that the upper surfaces of bars "8 shown by Fig. 9 upon which the slats are moved to the plates I93, are in substantially the same plane as the upper surfaces of the spring-pressed blocks I96, .this arrangement permitting the movement of the slat to its position upon the spring pressed blocks I96 without interference by the projections I6 and H on the band.

For forcing the slat downwardly against the points of projections I6 and I! on the bands, the mechanism D isprovided, which includes a vertical shaft 208 shown by Fig. 9, which has a bevel gear 28I on its lower end meshing with a bevel gear 282 on the main driving shaft 36. At its upper end shaft 288 is provided with a bevel gear 283 which meshes with a bevel gear 284 on a shaft 285 journaled in a frame work 286 fastened to the table 36'. Shaft 285 is provided with two eccentrics 281 and 288 connected to connecting rods 289 and 2I8 depending therefrom, and the lower ends of the connecting rods are pivotally connected to a crosshead 2 (Figs. 12 and 13) mounted for vertical sliding movement in the frame work 286.

Again referring to Figs. 13 and 25, the crosshead 2 II is provided with die elements 2I2, each of which has a flat lower surface 2 I3 and a spring pressed block 2| 4 normally projecting below the surface 2I3. wardly, the block 2 I4 initially engages the upper surface of the slat and moves it and the blocks I96 on the plate I93, downwardly thereby forcing the slat downwardly against the projections I6, I! and I8 on the metal band until the extreme pointed portions of the projections I6 and I! are exposed above the upper surface of the slat. Further movement thereof is prevented by engagement of the slat with the bands, and then the block 2 I4 is forced upwardly into its recess in the die 2I2 and the surface 2I3 engages the slat and bends the extreme pointed portions of the projections I6 and I1 over to clamp the slatsecurely to the band. When this operation has been performed, the eccentrics 281 and 288 so operate that the crosshead 2 II is moved upwardly:

During the time that this operation is being performed on the slat and bands, the slat is located between two of the teeth on wheels 55 and 59, Figs. 10 and 12, and such wheels are stationary. Immediately after the slat is secured to the bands and the crosshead 2II begins to move upwardly, the wheels 55 and 59 turn through one of their increments of movement as previously explained, causing the rear teeth on such wheels to engage the rear edge of the slat and move it and the band through,

one increment of movement toward the discharge end of the machine. It is apparent that the spring pressed latch I93 will not prevent such movement of the slat since it will move downwardly and out of the path of movement of the.

slat upon pressure being exerted against the.

rear edge of theslat by the teeth on the wheels 55 and 59, but as soon as the slat has moved past the latch I93, the latter will be reverted to its normal position for engagement with the next slat.

Now referring to Figs. 14, 15, 26, 27, and 28, and particularly to that part E of the machine, a frame 2I5 is supported by thetable 36' and, as best shown by Fig. 15, has a pair of transversely extending shafts 2I6 and 2|] journaled in the upper part thereof. The shaft 2I6 is provided with a pair of eccentrics 2I8and 2I9 which are operatively connected to connecting rods 228 and 22I which in turn arefpivotally connected to a crosshead 222 mounted for. verti- When the crosshead moves down cal sliding movement in the frame work. The crosshead is provided with three dies, 223, 224 and 225 adapted to co-operate with stationary dies 226, 221 and 228 on the table. As best shown by Figs. 15, 26, and 27, each of the dies on the crosshead 222 is provided with a die element 230 which has portions 23| and 232 adapted respectively to form the crimps 20 and 2| in the metal band. As best shown by Fig. 27, each of the portions 23| and 232, this; figure illustrating the portion 232, has depressions 233 and 234 and an intermediate projection 235 of a semi-cylindrical shape adapted to form the central portion of the crimp. The lower .die includes a die element 236 complementary to the upper die element 230 and in-conjunction therewith forms the crimps 20 and 2| in the metal band. As previously explained, these crimps are not exactly the same size but to the contrary when one is disposed on the other, in superimposed relation, they form an eye for receiving a cotter pin. When the crimps are formed in the band the latter is pushed upwardly away from the lower die element when the crosshead is moved upwardly, by means of a spring pressed pin 231 which not only separates the band from the lower die but facilitates further movement of the band through the machine. Movement of the dies is accurately controlled by means of pins 238 and 239 shown by Fig. 27, which are secured in the upper die and slidably project into openings in the lower die. In View of the fact that the crimps are formed only in the hand between groups of twelve slats respectively, the mechanism performing such crimps can operate only at infrequent intervals and the mechanism for securing this result will now be described.

Referring to Fig. 14, the shaft 36 is provided with a bevel gear 246 Which meshes with a bevel gear 24| secured to a shaft 242 projecting upwardly through the table 36'. This shaft is provided with a. clutch element 243 which is adapted to engage a complementary clutch element 244 mounted on a shaft 245 projecting upwardly into the frame work 2|5. At its upper end shaft 245 is provided with a bevel gear 246 which meshes with a bevel gear 241 on shaft 2|6. The lower clutch element 243 is splined to shaft 242, and is adapted to be moved upwardly into engagement with clutch element 244 by means of a bell crank lever 248 pivoted intermediate its ends as indicated at 249 on a stationary part of the frame work, and which has a portion 250 operatively connected to the clutch element 243. The upper end of the bell crank 248 has a roller 25| journaled thereon, adapted to engage a cam 252 on shaft 245, which so cooperates With the roller 25| when the clutch elements are engaged and the shaft 245 begins to rotate, that the clutch elements will remain engaged for a predetermined time necessary to reciprocate the crosshead 222 once, and then the roller will move into a recess in the cam and not only limit further movement of the shaft, but allow disengagement of the clutch elements. The lower end of the bell crank is provided with a pin 253 which is adjustably mounted and this pin is adapted to engage a. pin 254 mounted on a disc 255 which is rigidly secured on a shaft 256. A spring 251 connected to the bell crank and to a stationary part of the frame work normally maintains the bell crank in its inoperative position and the clutch elements disengaged, with the pin 253 in the path'of movement of the pin 254 on the disc.

.Shaft 256 is driven by means of a relatively large gear 260 as best shown by Fig. 16, meshing with a pinion on a countershaft 262 that in turn is provided with a pinion 263 which meshes with a pinion 264 on shaft 36. This arrangement in fact constitutes a reduction gearing and causes the shaft 266 to rotate rather slowly. The arrangement of the mechanism is such that after each group of twelve slats has passedbetween the upper and lower dies in the crimp forming mechanism, the pin 254 on disc 255 as shown by Fig. 14, engages the pin 253 on the bell crank 248 and causes this arm to so turn that the clutch element 243 is moved upwardly into engagement with the clutch element 244 thereby drivingly connecting the shaft 36 with shaft 245 and hence. shaft 2| 6 which causes the die elements to be brought together for forming the crimps in the. band.

After the crimps are so formed in the bands, the latter andslats continue to move through the machine until the crimped portions of the bands are disposed between upper and lower die elements 210 and 2H of the cutting ofi mechanism shown by Fig. 15. The upper cutting die elements are secured to a vertically slidable crosshead 212 which is mounted pivotally on connecting rods 213 operatively connected to eccentrics 214 mounted on shaft 211. Shaft 2|1 is connected to shaft 36 in the same manner that shaft 2| 6 is connected thereto, and the clutch elements in such connection are controlled by a bell crank 215 shown by Fig. 15. This bell crank is adapted to be operated by a pin 216 on a disc 2-11 mounted on shaft 256. However, as best shown by Fig. 14, pin 216 on disc211, is displaced circumferentially with respect to pin 254 on disc 255 and, consequently, the clutch element on the vertical shaft, operating shaft 2|1 will not 'be brought into engagement until a short time after operation of the clutch elements connecting shafts 242 and 245. Following disengagement of the pin 254 with pin 253 controlling the crimp forming operation, the crimp portion of the band is moved into a position between the cutting dies 210 and 2', and then the pin 216 on disc 211 operates the bell crank 215 to connect the shaft 2 H with shaft 36 thereby causing the upper cutting die 210 to be moved downwardly against the lower cutting die.

The bands are cut intermediate the two crimps by means of a lower cutting element 280 on the lower die as shown by Fig. 28, and an upper shearing element 28| on the upper die. Prior'to, the cutting operation the bands are supported on spring pressed blocks 282 but upon movement of the upper die downwardly the cutting element 28| moves the block 282 downwardly and the band past the lower cutting or shearing element 280 thereby severing the bands. The upper cutting element has a groove or recess 283 adapted to receive the rearward crimp and prevent deformation thereofduring the cutting operation.

It should be apparent from the foregoing description; that the metal bands are directed through the machine by periodic increments of movement and that the initial operation performed on such band comprises forming the projections l6, I1 and I8. When the first slat'is secured to the bands by means of such projections, the wheels and 56 engaging the rear edge of each slat after such operation, push the slat toward the discharge end of the machine and consequently the bands associated therewith. In

this connection it is desired to call attention to the fact that the distance between the mechanism for securing the slats to the bands and. the mechanism for forming the projections l6, l1 and I8, is substantially equal to the length of one of the articles manufactured, namely, the plurality of bands having twelve slats secured thereto, in order that the larger increment of movement of the bands by the wheels 55 and 59 disposed directly below the mechanism forsecuring the slats to the band, will simultaneously cause a larger increment of movement of the bands in the projection forming mechanism from which it follows that the projections will be spaced a larger distance at the proper time. The toothed wheels 55 and 59 constitute the means for moving the slat and band assembly through the crimping and cutting parts of the machine and as the teeth on such wheels engage the rear edges of the slats respectively, the slat and band assembly between the wheels and the discharge end of the machine are pushed through the crimping and cutting mechanism. While there is a tendency for the slat and band assembly to bend upwardly out of the horizontal plane when the teeth push the assembly through the machine in this manner, this is prevented by guidevvays at opposite sides of the machine which maintain the bands in substantially horizontal planes during their movement.

For the purpose of facilitating initial operation of the machine, making adjustments, and so forth, means are provided for manually operating the machine as shown by Fig. 16. This means comprises a shaft 299 having a pinion 29! which meshes with a pinion 292 on shaft Ill. Shaft 299 also is provided with a pinion 293 which is adapted to be drivingly engaged with shaft 290 by means of a pin 294 on the latter adapted to cooperate with a slot 295 in a boss on one side of the gear. It is apparent that when the pinion 293 is moved in one direction the pin is moved out of the slot 294, thereby disengaging the pinion from the shaft. Movement of the gear in this manner is accomplished by means of a rod 295 operatively connected to the gear and extending through one wall of the frame 31 of the machine. Another pinion 296 meshing with pinion 293 is mounted on a manually operated shaft 29! extending through the frame work and having a handle 298 on its exterior end. When the rod 295 is so moved that the pinion 293 is drivingly connected to shaft 299, rotation of the handle 298 serves to drive shaft H1 through the bevel gears H5 and i it, to the main drive shaft 36, this operation being readily permitted by the clutch 38 without requiring rotation of the motor.

Although only one form of the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A machine for manufacturing box blanks from slats and bands, comprising a forming station; means at said forming station for forming fastening projections in said bands; a securing station; a hopper for slats; periodically operable means for extracting slats from said hopper and delivering said slats to said securing station;

means at said securing station for securing said slats and bands together by means of said fastening projections; and intermittently operable moving means for engaging the secured slats to therer by move said bands and slats forwardly through said machine.

2. A machine for forming box blanks from slats and bands comprising in combination, a forming station; means operable at said forming station for forming fastening projections in said bands; a securing station; a hopper for slats; periodically operable means for extracting slats from said hopper and. for delivering said extracted slats to said bands at said securing stations; means at said securing station operable to secure said slats and bands together by means of said projections; and periodically operable means for engaging a secured slat and moving said slat and bands forwardly through the machine in step by step manner, said moving means being effective to cause a greater amount of movement of said slat and bands in certain of said steps than in others of said steps, to thereby increase the spacing between slats at the ends of said blanks.

3. A machine for forming box blanks from slats and bands comprising in combination, a forming station; means at said forming station for forming fastening tongues in said bands; a securing station; a hopper for slats; means operable at successive regular intervals to extract slats from said hopper and deliver said slats to said bands at said securing station; means operable at said securing station for securing said slats and bands together by means of said tongues; and. intermittently operable moving means for engaging a secured slat to advance said slat and said bands forwardly through the machine in stepby step manner, said moving means including a rotary step by step wheel having spaced projections, certain of said projections being spaced apart one predetermined distance and others of said projections being spaced apart a greater predetermined distance.

4. A blank forming machine for securing a plurality of slats to a band at successive points therealong, comprising in combination, a securing station, periodically operable means for delivering a slat to said securing station, means for securing said slat to said band at said'station, and additional periodically operable means adapted to engage said secured slat to move said slat and said band forwardly through said machine and advance another point of said band to said securing station.

5. A blank forming machine for securing a plurality of blanks to a band at predetermined spaced points along said band, comprising in combination a securing station, means at said station for securing said slats to said band, a hopper for slats, periodically operable means for delivering individual slats from said hopper to said securing station, and additional periodically operable means for engaging asecured slat and MAX C. RUTZEN. LLOYD W. PARDEE. ALFRED J. STECKER. 

